• Health study begins examining potential oilsands impacts on Fort Chipewyan

  Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
  Date: 2026-09-10 12:00:00.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Indigenous, Healthcare, Environment, Energy]

  A 10-year, $12-million federally funded health study named Project Monument Hill has officially begun to examine potential links between oilsands developments and cancer rates among residents in the northern Alberta Indigenous community of Fort Chipewyan. Overseen by the Métis Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, and the Mikisew Cree First Nation—with the federal government playing an observer role—third-party researchers will analyze current and historical health data, monitor environmental conditions, and evaluate traditional land use. The study follows decades of community concern regarding industrial projects upstream along the Athabasca River, such as Imperial Oil’s Kearl mine and Suncor Energy’s Fort Hills mine.

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• Saddle Lake Cree Nation asserts treaty rights over access to gender-affirming care

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-09 21:56:42.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Indigenous, Healthcare, Justice, Governance]

  Saddle Lake Cree Nation is asserting its sovereign treaty rights under the "medicine chest" clause of Treaty 6 to create protections for gender-affirming care on reserve lands and territories. The initiative directly challenges Alberta provincial legislation, specifically Bills 26, 27, and 29, which implemented restrictions on transgender youth regarding medical treatments, name and pronoun changes, and sports participation. Backed by Two-Spirit family physician Dr. James Makokis, the Nation plans to bring in Canadian-trained clinicians to provide uninterrupted medical services on reserve lands outside provincial jurisdiction.

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